Project Three – Composition – Additional large scale work

After the last exercises on project three I was not very happy with the results. On the one hand the large scale from exercise 1 where I felt I was not bold enough in my markings. Therefore I took the scene from outdoor exercise 2 and did a large scale work on A1 at home. I considered my learnings from my reflection on project 3.

Stefan513593 – project 3 – composition large scale

For this work I went to my painting studio where I do have more space around me. Here I have a vertical wall with a plywood attached to it, where I pinned a large scale paper of 300g/sqm (100x70cm) to it and tapping out a roughy A1 format – horizontal.

Starting in charcoal to bring the composition to the paper and continuing with painting medium: Gouache and a large brush (2″) to map out the main tonal areas in black. I continued with gouache in white. With a bristle brush I worked out the grass pattern in the middle ground (black and white). I applied more markings with compressed charcoal. The gouache covered surface allowed me to make similar markings as with a gesso primed surface (e.g. water reflections). For the final light markings in the foreground I chose white oil pastel, as white chalk did not give enough whiteness and was not bold enough on the surface. In the composition I added clouds for more drama.

At the end I am very pleased with the process and finally with my approach and markings. I feel that I am now more ready to continue with this course. The final result reminds me a bit of John Virtue and Alain Huck.

Stefan513593 – project 3 – composition large scale – progress

Learnings:

Place of work matters: more space around me (few meters) = bolder my strokes

Working process: gouache -> charcoal -> oil pastels works quite well

Working more with brushes (not only for the priming of the surface) gave me more ways for expression.

Charcoal allowed me to work closer to the surface (more intimate), brushes to work more distant to the paper.

Next time:
– Trying to include color
– Elaborating further my working process and surface – markings patterns
– Elaborate further drawing distance through different tools/media as an element in my work